Robbie Kempson has been cleared of abusing a ref, while a club player has had his four-year ban for biting overturned.

Kempson was EP’s assistant coach in the Currie Cup first division and was charged with physically and verbally abusing Pro Legoete after their match against SWD in George on 9 October. Advocate Jannie Lubbe SC, who chaired the hearing, took evidence from Kempson and the match officials.

He ruled that he was unable to find evidence to support the charge and dismissed it accordingly, finding Kempson not guilty.

Meanwhile, Rawsonville player Hayne Anthony, who was suspended for 208 weeks for biting Pukke scrumhalf Andries Mahoney during the National Club Champs, has had his charge dismissed on appeal. Anthony was tried in his absence on 22 October and found guilty after which he appealed against the sentence of four years.

Mahoney had to have 14 stitches placed in his ear after the incident, but Lubbe said the video evidence was inconclusive. Lubbe added that biting was a very serious offence that merited the heaviest available sentences.

But reluctantly, in view of the injuries suffered by Mahoney, the available evidence in this case did not allow for the conclusive identification of the culprit and he had no choice but to acquit Anthony.